Legal Aid

[crystalbee27]

Does anyone know the upper threshold in personal savings you are allowed and still be eligible for legal aid to defend a minor criminal damage charge? - I mean money in savings account, not the value in you home -thanks!

[New Judge]

For cases heard in the Magistrates' Court (which minor Crininal Damage would be) Legal Aid is determined by disposable income only. Capital is not taken into account.

If you have an income of £12,475 or less all your costs will be paid. If you have income of £22,325 or more you have to meet all the costs yourself. If your income is somewhere between the two you will receive a contribution towards your costs.

[crystalbee27]

thanks new judge - case will be heard in magistrates for damage of 600 pounds but I am pleading not guilty. I am self-employed - last years profit/loss account showed a loss and i am in reciept of max working tax credit and child tax credit. I am going to solicitors next week to apply for legal aid but was worried if i should declare all my savings - not a huge amount, but they would get swallowed up defending a case and if i can't get legal aid it would be cheaper for me to plead guilty and recieve a conditional discharge